The Joy Tour 2010

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Comment by Guy Anderson on July 2, 2010 at 19:04

We are currently in the sandy shores of lake tanganyika, at the Lake Shore camp. Both local people and camp site owners are very friendly and hospitable. We ventured into the lake today on kayaks, armed with our cameras, printer and speargun. Tiny fishing communities reside on islands in the middle of the world's longest and 2nd deepest lake. After our interaction with the locals we tried some free diving. It was incredible to see the variety of cichlids and other species which forms the local's staple diet. Hardus managed to shoot a decent sized fish called a yellowbelly, which we are having for dinner tonight. Tommorow we plan on getting on a ferry with our bikes which will take us to the northern most point of the lake near the Burundi border. Expect to see some interesting pictures and clips on www.milesforsmiles.co.za and youtube. Till next time...

Comment by Tatum Prins on June 24, 2010 at 11:01

Sounds awesome Guy! Wow! Take lots of pics for us. Have an incredible journey and keep us posted. Great reading!

Comment by Guy Anderson on June 24, 2010 at 10:37

Dear all

First of all we must apologize for the lack of written communication since the commencement of the Joy tour 2010. However this does actually mean that the trip has been such a success, taking us on many adventures and off the beaten track, which in itself has made access to internet quite intermittent.

At the moment I am writing from the only internet café in Nkhotakotha, Malawi. We have traveled over 2500km through Southern Africa’s most rural and beautiful areas, the ever extending list of visited places thus far including eastern Botswana, Southern and Eastern Zambia, and now central Malawi, with our worn front wheels aiming north. Along the way we have had the privilege of experiencing the most breathtaking sights, from Vic falls and the lower Zambezi in flood, to elephants on the main road from Nata in barren “Bots”.

The Joy Tour, to our delight, has been a great success, and seeing the smiles of the locals has become the highlight of every day. As an indication of our day to day activities, here is an account of the past 24hrs:

“At around 4pm on 22 June, the team arrived in the Lakeside town of Nkhotakotha, just in time to see the Bafana boys beat France in a thriller of a match. After descending down from the Malawi highlands, the sight of the lake and the friendliest locals was a reward after the day’s ride from Zambia. We settled in to the most beautiful campsite, not 20 meters from the lakes shore, and after boiling up some pasta, turned in for the night.

We have really got into a rhythm with offloading gear and setting up our temporary homes each night. The E3 gear tents go up in a jiffy, and with the pleasant weather need no flysheets! In the meantime the Jetboil stove has a good chunk of pasta rapidly boiling, and by the time our boots are off dinner is served.

This morning we woke to an unbelievable sunrise over the lake, and soon set off on the road back to Nkhotakotha. The first few km of sand track really tested our bikes and kit, and built up a bit of a sweat as well! I was dreading having to wear riding boots for a few months, but they have saved my ankles a few times, including today when the bike almost slid out from under me and my load! These Fox Comp 5 boots are the first I have ever worn, but have molded so comfortably to my feet that it feels strange NOT to wear them!

Just before reaching the town we stopped at a boat builder’s house and took a portrait of his happy children playing on an upturned hull. Of course we printed this picture for the mother, right there and then, who proudly showed all neighbors and passers by! I think this may have pleased them all just a little bit more than matt’s wheelies and riding antics!

So now, after feasting on “vetkoeks” and banana’s from the local market, we will set off along the lake, heading north, to who knows where!”

Till next time! Keep smiling!

Guy

Comment by Guy Anderson on June 11, 2010 at 21:55

Day 2 was an amazing improvement from the rain and cold of yesterday. We cruised through the balmy weather of the lowveld to reach Tzaneen in time to watch South Africa do us proud! Just as my total trip meter rolled on to 777 we arrived at a festive gathering alive with world cup gees! Late mention must be made of good ol' Mathew Hayter who has joined the team and loving every minute! Thanks to the Hayter family for sorting out our accomodation last night, it was well recieved after the long and freezing ride!
And tonight we have once again been welcomed by friendly hosts in Tzaneen, what a pleasure, this riding is not as easy as it sounds! Tomorrow the adventure and "joy tour" will kick off for real when we cross the border into foreign lands, where beds and prepared meals will be a thing of the past! Remenber to check out www.milesforsmiles.co.za, it should be going live very soon!
Till next time, ayoba!

Comment by Dean Bottcher on June 4, 2010 at 6:30

Nice, tell us more. Is your lady riding with.